MGM Resorts International's Viva Las Office package is the perfect excuse for your clients to take their work on the road this fall.Available for limited midweek three-, four- and five-night stays at Bellagio and ARIA on the Las Vegas Strip and starting at just $101 per night, the package provides guests with an office-ready room equipped with fast and secure Wi-Fi, a comfortable desk and chair and stellar views of Sin City.The packages, which are commissionable, feature savings of up to $985 per night and come with a plethora of perks, including flexible check-in as early as 8 a.m. and check-out as late as 6 p.m., food and beverage credits, private jet discounts and an Executive Assistant to guide guests throughout their stay, including making reservations and appointments on their behalf. The packages are available in three different tiers, including The Associate, The Manager and The Executive. The latter is the highest level available and includes a Salon Suite (Bellagio) or City Corner Suite (ARIA), $75 food and beverage credit per night, $125 off hop-on fare with private jet service JSX, a full-day cabana rental and a poolside massage for one.Meanwhile, guests booked for The Manager package will receive a Fountain View (Bellagio) or Strip View (ARIA) room, $50 food and beverage credit per night, $100 off hop-on fare with JSX, two private pool day passes and a poolside neck and shoulder massage for one.Finally, The Associate package comes with a Resort King (Bellagio) or Deluxe King (ARIA) room as well as $50 food and beverage credit per night and $75 off hop-on fare with JSX.Beyond the savings and luxe amenities, guests have the benefit of being in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip with plenty to see and do once they clock out for the day, including world-class casinos, bars and restaurants and must-visit landmarks such as the Fountains of Bellagio. PHOTO: Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. (photo via Flickr/Tehani Schroeder) "These packages are designed to offer the best of both worlds. A safe, spacious work setting while still allowing guests to enjoy the amenities and experiences Las Vegas is known for through a single offering," said Atif Rafiq, President of Commercial and Growth for MGM Resorts.Guests can also look forward to complimentary parking and a Safety Amenity Travel Kit that includes a mask, hand sanitizer and a stylus pen.Visit MGMResorts.com to learn more about the Viva Las Office package. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Banks and lenders have filed a foreclosure suit against the Palmer House Hilton, one of the most iconic hotels in the city of Chicago, leading many to speculate whether the famed property will be next to shutter.According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the hotel’s owner – Thor Equities, which has a management contract with Hilton Hotels to operate the hotel – was accused in a Cook County Circuit Court lawsuit of defaulting on its mortgage.Thor Equities owes $333.2 million on the mortgage according to Wells Fargo Bank, a trustee for the holders of securities that include the Palmer House loan and the entity that actually filed the suit. The Palmer House, with one of the most ornate lobbies of any hotel in the country, is one of the most iconic hotels in Chicago and the city’s second-largest lodging property. It was more than 100 years old. The Palmer House has been closed for almost five months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Trending Now The hotel is just steps from Michigan Ave. three blocks from Lake Michigan, and just two miles from McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the nation. But that’s part of the issue – like every big city in the country, Chicago has lost a copious amount of conventions and business travel.According to the Sun-Times, the next hearing on the case is scheduled for February 2021, although Thor was expected to provide its response by Sept. 10 to the request for a receiver.The coronavirus has forced many small and midsize lodging properties to close, but the large, upscale hotels are starting to come under pressure due to lack of demand. Earlier this week, Hilton announced it was closing its hotel in New York City’s Times Square, arguably one of the most well-located and usually sold out hotels in the world.The American Hotel & Lodging Association has said one in four hotel loans nationwide are more than 30 days overdue and four in 10 workers in the industry are unemployed.Michael Jacobson, CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, told the newspaper that huge convention hotels such as the Palmer House will survive, in part because the properties can’t easily be converted into something else, such as condos. But he said he’s fearful of smaller operations that rely on leisure travelers. “There are some of those we might lose permanently,” he said. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Small Luxury Hotels of the World unveiled three one-of-a-kind properties in Italy, France and Spain: the 88-room Galleria Vik Milano in Milan, the 49-room Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley and the 18-room Torre Del Marques in Matarrana.Galleria Vik Milano is appointed with vivid murals and sculptures designed to reflect the Italian city’s history. Guestrooms and corridors serve as exhibition spaces, each of which focuses on a celebrated artist.The property, which opened Sept. 1 and is set in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, features two restaurants – Vikissimo, for serving food and drinks, and I Dodici Gatti, for wood-fired pizza. Rates start $288, including breakfast.Les Sources de Cheverny, which began welcoming guests on Sept. 1, is a sister property to Bordeaux’s Les Sources de Caudalie, where the Caudalie skincare brand took root.The hotel is equipped with a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine, and an oak Jacuzzi and thermal pool. Caudalie treatments are available in the Spa des Sources.Arguably, one of Les Sources de Cheverny’s most distinguishing features is Le Baron Perche, a wooden suite set on stilts with lake views.Rates start at $324 per night, including breakfast.MORE Hotel & Resort Torre Del Marques, a 15th-century farmhouse that has been renovated from top to bottom with a focus on bio-sustainability, features an organic “zero-kilometre restaurant,” offering and cuisine that is produced and sold locally, including such items as olives, almonds, honey and black truffles, and local wines.For families or friends traveling together, the Suite Room accommodates four guests in two connecting rooms, and features a terrace.Rates for Torre Del Marques, which opened on Aug. 29, start at $323 per night, including breakfast.In other developments, the 44-room Huvafen Fushi Maldives in Paje, Maldives, has rejoined Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 1. tRates start at $1,644 per night, including breakfast.Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s portfolio includes 520 properties in more than 90 countries.Small Luxury Hotels of the World unveiled three one-of-a-kind properties in Italy, France and Spain: the 88-room Galleria Vik Milano in Milan, the 49-room Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley and the 18-room Torre Del Marques in Matarrana.Galleria Vik Milano is appointed with vivid murals and sculptures designed to reflect the Italian city’s history. Guestrooms and corridors serve as exhibition spaces, each of which focuses on a celebrated artist.The property, which opened Sept. 1 and is set in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, features two restaurants – Vikissimo, for serving food and drinks, and I Dodici Gatti, for wood-fired pizza.Rates start $288, including breakfast.Les Sources de Cheverny, which began welcoming guests on Sept. 1, is a sister property to Bordeaux’s Les Sources de Caudalie, where the Caudalie skincare brand took root.The hotel is equipped with a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine, and an oak Jacuzzi and thermal pool. Caudalie treatments are available in the Spa des Sources.Arguably, one of Les Sources de Cheverny’s most distinguishing features is Le Baron Perche, a wooden suite set on stilts with lake views.Rates start at $324 per night, including breakfast.Torre Del Marques, a 15th-century farmhouse that has been renovated from top to bottom with a focus on bio-sustainability, features an organic “zero-kilometre restaurant,” offering and cuisine that is produced and sold locally, including such items as olives, almonds, honey and black truffles, and local wines.For families or friends traveling together, the Suite Room accommodates four guests in two connecting rooms, and features a terrace.Rates for Torre Del Marques, which opened on Aug. 29, start at $323 per night, including breakfast.In other developments, the 44-room Huvafen Fushi Maldives in Paje, Maldives, has rejoined Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 1. tRates start at $1,644 per night, including breakfast.Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s portfolio includes 520 properties in more than 90 countries. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Earlier this summer, Playa Hotels & Resorts launched the “Work and Learn from Paradise” program, and a new trend in the travel industry was born.Stay for 14 days, be upgraded to a suite room, receive free spa treatments and have all your needs taken care of you through an all-inclusive package – sounds amazing, right? Throughout August a number of resorts followed with variations of extended stay offers.How does Playa Hotels & Resorts feel about that?“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said EVP & Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Froemming. “I think everybody sort of identifying this, I think it's great that we lead the way. We paid a lot of attention to our travel agents and quite frankly, this has been something that we've been thinking about for quite some time on our executive conference calls.“We're glad that the rest of the industry is catching up with us on this. I think it's great for the industry to see people coming back to the resorts and these type of programs are going to help our industry recover faster. From our perspective, we want everyone to come here, but we realize that there are others out there, so we welcome it as a part of our industry recovery.” Trending Now The peak of the summer travel season may be gone as the Labor Day has come and gone, however, the future bookings and vacations are slowly but surely trending up.“We’ve had a tremendous amount of bookings,” Froemming said. “We’re well over a million dollars in revenue on this particular program already.”Playa also invested in stronger WiFi to ensure no guests complain about internet access to handle remote working and virtual learning for the kids.“I think it's one of the best ideas or resorts come up with it a long time,” said Tyson Wharton, Owner of Sioux Empire Travel. “If people are stuck at home and their kids are learning from home, there's no better place than right here. Everything is taken care of for you, you can focus on your work, your kids can focus on school and then once you're all done, you can have a great time with the family.”Travel agents and advisors certainly love the unique new way to sell a vacation to their clients.But how do guests experiencing it feel?At the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic last week, paradise views made virtual learning and remote working a breeze.15-year-old Josh Wright is missing sports, but thanks to the 14,000 square foot gym he can focus on staying in shape.“I really love the training aspect because back at home all the gyms are closed. Since sports are not happening, I’m still able to train here and get that done and I really love that.”And what did his 14-year-old brother Brady Wright think?“Well, I just love the idea of it, just like having freedom to do whatever you want, like you can study in the coffee lounge or even in your room on your balcony…you have your own freedom to do whatever you want, you’re not just cooped up in your room at home.St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong raved about the WiFi access and its strength.“Well, I'll tell you, the moment we walked in my spirit was lifted,” Armstrong said. “But I had all kinds of meetings. I had a board executive meeting with some very big decisions, I had meetings every day and I'll be honest, this is going to sound bad, but the Wi-Fi is better here than I have at my school and at home so I was more effective from a virtual standpoint here than I've been anywhere else so far.”The “Work and Learn from Paradise” program at Playa is currently being offered at Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana, Hyatt Ziva and Zilara in Cancun, Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall in Jamaica, and as mentioned earlier, coming to Los Cabos soon. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Sandals Resorts, an all-inclusive brand developed specifically for couples, has just unveiled new details of design plans for a multi-million-dollar renovation that’s underway at its awe-inspiring Sandals South Coast resort in Jamaica—winner of the 2019 World Travel Awards’ ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ title. Renovations are set to debut in December 2020, heralding a whole new era for the resort company through the inclusion of the world’s first-ever Swim-Up Rondoval Suites, which sit on the edge of a 17,040 square-foot swimming pool oasis—the longest pool in the western hemisphere.The new Swim-Up Rondoval Suites will mark a new milestone for Sandals, expanding upon the cutting-edge, ultra-luxurious Rondoval concept that was first introduced at Sandals Grande Antigua and made its way to Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Grenada, Sandals Royal Barbados and, now, Sandals South Coast.The property sits between the Caribbean Sea and a 500-acre nature preserve in an area that been called Jamaica’s “uncharted land.” Accordingly, the grounds at Sandals South Coast are exceptionally pristine, abounding with lush, tropical gardens that give way to unspoiled sands and brilliant blue waters.The new village of 20 Swim-Up Rondoval Suites is designed to be a luxurious haven that’s singularly tucked away from the outside world and brings guests closer to the water than ever before. PHOTO: Overwater bungalow at Sandals South Coast. (photo via Sandals) These indulgent suites-in-the-round will measure an impressive 22 feet in diameter and feature 20-foot-tall conical palapas-style ceilings. Each will come with its own private plunge pool ornamented with Indonesian limestone and fountains covered in Italian glass, plus a scalloped Tranquility Soaking Tub for two. The innovative layout provides direct, zero-entry access to the clear, cool waters of the villages’ serene 17,040 square-foot pool.Rondovals’ furnishings will come custom-crafted from around the globe. A private coral sundeck will sport contemporary lounge furnishings, and bathrooms will boast freestanding stone vanities with Hollywood-lit mirrors. On top of which, guests in this category will enjoy the assistance of an attentive personal butler, trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, adding to the experience of ultimate exclusivity throughout their stay.“When I was growing up in Jamaica, we were always playing in the rivers and waterfalls and the sea,” said Sandals’ Deputy Chairman Adam Stewart. “That’s why Sandals South Coast is the ideal destination to be creative. It’s an oasis, surrounded by nature and water.” PHOTO: The main pool at Sandals South Coast. (photo by Codie Liermann) Also using the aquatic element as a jumping-off point, Sandals South Coast is simultaneously remodeling the resort’s Dutch Village section to reflect a more modern sense of relaxation, inspired by the sea. Situated right on a breathtaking parcel of the beach, the entire 112-room village—comprised 16 Butler Elite suites and 96 Club and Luxury Level rooms—faces out onto the Caribbean Sea’s luminous waters stretching out to the horizon.The fully reimagined suites will pay homage to the surrounding natural spectacle with a refreshing light blue and neutral color scheme. All will feature indoor free-standing tubs and showers and outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two, with select categories also boasting swim-up access from a private pool. Plus, two additional swim-up pools are being incorporated into the village.Lastly, a lush, modern wedding venue is being built within the spectacular tropical gardens of the resort’s Italian Village. The planned enhancements will undeniably complement Sandals South Coast’s existing, state-of-the-art architectural design features, such as the lavish Over-the-Water Bungalows, an Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel and the Latitudes overwater bar, offering 360-degree sea views. PHOTO: Over-the-Water Bungalows at Sandals South Coast. (photo via Sandals Resorts) "Sandals South Coast is one of the most beautiful destinations in the uncharted land of Jamaica," stated Gordon "Butch" Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts. "Our goal is to exceed expectations time and time again, and the new Sandals South Coast will do that and more. The resort which is nestled within a lush 500-acre nature preserve, along crystal blue waters was our inspiration for this incredibly expansive project. We can't wait for our guests to experience these new, luxurious innovations."Having been closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandals South Coast is set to reopen to guests on October 1, 2020, with a multitude of new, protective health and safety measures in place. Reservations are now being accepted for the brand-new Swim-Up Rondoval Suites and renovated Dutch Village suites, with arrivals beginning on December 10, 2020. For more information, visit sandals.com/south-coast. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Saying the impact of the coronavirus pandemic left it no choice, Hilton Hotel Corp. is shuttering its hotel at the ‘crossroads of the world.’Hilton will close its hotel in New York City’s Times Square on Oct. 1, according to a document it filed with New York State this week. The document was likely the mandatory 30-day notice employers must file in the event of employee layoffs. Trending Now Hilton expects 200 jobs will be lost, according to USA Today, which first reported the story. The company said it was due to "unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19."The 44-story, 478-room hotel at 234 West 42nd Street is in the heart of New York City with its Times Square location, just steps to Broadway and a perfect spot to go in any direction – north to Central Park, south to the Village and SoHo and the financial district, west to Hell’s Kitchen, east to the United Nations.But the pandemic has battered all aspects of the travel industry. USA Today noted that a report this week from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, an industry group, showed that hotel occupancy in urban markets was 38 percent in August, well below the 50 percent it takes for most properties to break even.August hotel occupancy in New York was 38 percent, according to STR, a firm that tracks hotel data. It was 93 percent a year ago heading into the end-of-summer Labor Day weekend.But it seemed to be fait accompli in New York City, where restaurants remain closed for indoor dining; a 14-day quarantine is in place for visitors arriving from 30 different states; Broadway is shuttered until 2021; no spectators are allowed at games for baseball’s Yankees and Mets, and restrictions on travel from most European countries remain in place. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Visitors will once again begin to enjoy Blue Diamond Resorts located across the Caribbean as the brand begins to reopen its properties with new health and safety measures in place.With six properties already open - three located in Mexico and three in Jamaica, Blue Diamond is planning for a gradual reopening with seventeen of its properties opening by the middle of December. Trending Now A list of all properties and their opening dates can be found below:Dominican Republic- Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Spa: 01-Oct-20- Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana: 01-Oct-20- Royalton Splash Punta Cana Resort & Spa: 01-Oct-20- Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa: 01-Nov-20- Royalton CHIC Punta Cana Resort & Spa: 01-Oct-20Jamaica- Royalton Negril Resort & Spa: Now Open- Hideaway at Royalton Negril: Now Open- Grand Lido Negril Au Naturel All-Suite Resort: Now Open- Royalton Blue Waters Resort & Spa: 01-Oct-20- Royalton White Sands Resort & Spa: 01-Oct-20Antigua- Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa: 29-Nov-20Grenada- Royalton Grenada Resort & Spa: 29-Nov-20Saint Lucia- Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa: 01-Nov-20- Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia: 01-Nov-20- Mystique St. Lucia by Royalton: 01-Dec-20- Starfish Saint Lucia: 15-Dec-20Costa Rica- Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica: 01-Dec-20Mexico- Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa: Now Open- Hideaway at Royalton Rivera Cancun: Now Open- Mystique Holbox by Royalton: Now Open- Royalton CHIC Suites Cancun: 29-Oct-20- Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun: 15-Dec-20- Planet Hollywood Adult Scene Cancun: 15-Dec-20All the Blue Diamond properties have put into practice stringent new guidelines to ensure staff and guests’ safety.These new procedures, which adhere to the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control recommendations, include new sanitation measures, increased cleanliness standards and reduced capacity.There is a flexible direct booking policy for any travel booked to one of Blue Diamond Resorts between May 1 and October 31, 2020, as well as additional support about reservations through a consistently monitored email address [email protected]. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Couples are paying close attention to how COVID-19 restrictions could affect their special days.According to a recent survey from The Knot, 80 percent of engaged couples are staying closely up to date on the latest CDC guidelines and are thinking about how that might impact their future wedding plans. Many do not want to postpone their nuptials and are looking for creative solutions to keep friends and family safe. MORE Hotel & Resort Sandals Resorts is now offering a variety of tools to help travel advisors and couples plan a successful event.The resort company has introduced a complimentary wedding ceremony live stream service through 2021. All couples that book a destination wedding or ReTie the Knot ceremony taking place September 15, 2020, through December 31, 2020, for events taking place in 2020 and 2021, will receive a Complimentary Wedding Ceremony Live Stream Service, allowing families and friends to attend for the virtual “I do.”Couples can now also use Sandals virtual wedding tools to do walk-throughs, virtually meet with a wedding planner and use the company’s digital wedding planning tool to book services.Sandals is offering a number of wedding packages for couples to make their moment extra special despite not being able to gather in large groups that include elopements and a “minimony.”The Two Lovebirds Elopement includes Sandals custom decor, signature cocktails, breakfast in bed with mimosas, a 5x7 wedding photograph and more.The Perfect Ten Minimony allows couples to invite eight loved ones to join and enjoy a picturesque, secluded wedding ceremony, a one-hour cocktail reception with sparkling wine, 15 percent off a Red Lane Spa experience for the bride and groom and more.Sweetest 50 Microwedding allows for ceremonies with fewer than 50 people. Weddings booked with 20 double occupancy rooms or more come with all of Sandals’ complimentary wedding inclusions and the choice of three Bells & Whistles enhancements, with selections of a welcome cocktail party to kick off the festivities, a five-star Global Gourmet lobster dinner reception, a rum and game night or a $1,000 credit towards an Island Routes Catamaran Cruise and more.Sequel Celebrations come from the popular anniversary program that offers a complimentary night stay for couples booked seven nights or more in a Club or Butler suite. Guests can celebrate with friends and family with a free ReTie the Knot minimony for a group of five rooms or more. Let's block ads! (Why?)

Here in the Dominican Republic, Playa Hotels & Resorts EVP & Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Froemming shares an update on how the new Work and Learn From Paradise program is going.Playa was the first to launch this type of home office at the beach program that set off quite the trend in the travel industry. Over the last month, seemingly every major hotel and resort company has come out with its own variation of this type of program.Froemming shares his thoughts on how he feels about other resorts copying their move.Additionally, Froemming talks about traveling to the Dominican Republic and the re-launch of the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana. The resorts opened at the end of 2019 but Playa had to shut things down due to the coronavirus pandemic.Stay tuned to TravelPulse in the coming weeks for more coverage of what it was like traveling to the Dominican Republic right now. Let's block ads! (Why?)

IHG has enhanced its Meet with Confidence program with an emphasis on cleanliness and flexibility in the time of coronavirus. Trending Now On Tuesday, the hotel giant announced that it will offer clutter-free event spaces configured to allow for physical distancing and also utilize outdoor spaces where possible.Other highlights of the revamped program include tables and chairs disinfected before every meeting or event and even during breaks; signage and staggered breaks to manage attendee flow; enhanced food handling and service guidelines; hand sanitizer stations throughout and tech solutions to support virtual and hybrid meetings.The program also includes a Meet with Confidence checklist and pre-event inspection with the meeting planner or onsite contact.IHG is also providing added flexibility by eliminating cancellation and attrition fees, providing up to a five percent rebate towards the master bill, short-form contracts and IHG Business Rewards points at participating properties.The flexible Meet with Confidence booking terms apply when booking 10 to 50 rooms on peak at select hotels for bookings before December 31, 2020, with meet or stay dates by June 30, 2021. PHOTO: IHG Meet with Confidence program. (photo courtesy of IHG) "We’re seeing a number of organizations currently, or looking forward to, holding safe and responsible meetings and events. To support this, IHG is offering meeting planners peace of mind and adaptability in these uncertain times," said Derek DeCross, SVP, Global Sales, IHG, in a statement."The Meet with Confidence program combines a laser focus on cleanliness as well as flexibility where it’s needed most. Whether it’s for a 10-person meeting, an intimate wedding or a virtual global conference, with more than 5,900 properties in over 100 countries, our diverse family of brands provides exceptional spaces to ensure every meeting, event, or celebration is unforgettable." Let's block ads! (Why?)